You Are My Pride, the Direction I Strive Toward

Orochimaru and Chiyu left the Hokage Office together.

At the entrance to the Hokage Office, Orochimaru said to Chiyu, "Next, you'll be going to the battlefield with me. Go make your preparations—restock any ninja tools you need. Come find me at the base tomorrow morning."

Chiyu nodded. "Yes, Teacher Orochimaru."

Chiyu and Orochimaru went their separate ways. Chiyu first went to a ninja tool shop and bought some Kunai, Shuriken, and Explosive Tags.

When Chiyu left the ninja tool shop, a pained expression flashed across his face.

Though Chiyu had not completed many missions, they had all been C-rank Missions. Moreover, Orochimaru had not taken a cut, and Chiyu had nowhere to spend money, so he had saved it all.

Chiyu had thought he had quite a bit of money, but after one trip to the ninja tool shop, he was practically bankrupt.

Kunai and Shuriken were fine, but Explosive Tags were far too expensive. One cost around three hundred ryo.

Explosive Tags had a wide range of uses. For example, setting traps definitely required a large number of Explosive Tags.

Explosive Tags were extremely useful and could sometimes have a crucial effect in battle, so he could not go without carrying some.

Chiyu touched his flattened wallet and sighed.

Fortunately, Orochimaru was supporting him now, so he did not need to worry about food, clothing, shelter, or travel.

After leaving the ninja tool shop, Chiyu returned home.

Now, Chiyu needed to check his Witness Points.

That was right. Because of the incident in which Kumogakure ninja kidnapped Kushina Uzumaki, Chiyu had once again gained Witness Points.

[Witnessed the incident of important figure Kushina Uzumaki being kidnapped by Kumogakure ninja. Reward: 500 Witness Points. As the host directly participated in this incident, additional reward: 800 Witness Points.]

Looking at his Witness Point total, Chiyu took a deep breath, and the corners of his lips could not help but curve upward.

Compared with the fifty Witness Points he had received for witnessing Kushina Uzumaki enroll, or the fifty Witness Points for witnessing Might Guy's birth, these 1,300 Witness Points were an absolute fortune!

Chiyu also checked his character panel.

[Character: Chiyu]

[Bloodline: Uchiha Clan, Senju Clan]

[Kekkei Genkai: Two-Tomoe Sharingan]

[Chakra: One Sharingan-activated Kakashi]

[Ninjutsu: E-rank Ninjutsu Three-Body Technique, C-rank Ninjutsu Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique...]

[Genjutsu: Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique, Genjutsu: Sharingan]

[Taijutsu: Shuriken Throwing Mastery, C-rank Taijutsu...]

[Extra Ability: Thunder Breathing Full Sword Form]

Chiyu could not help but show delight as he looked over his attributes.

All these years of effort had not been in vain. Compared to when he had been at the Ninja Academy, his strength was now worlds apart.

However, Chiyu did not spend anything, mainly because there was no need to.

He had a total of 1,310 Witness Points now. It seemed like a lot, but there was almost nothing he could buy that he could use.

With Orochimaru teaching him, he did not lack ninjutsu at all. And if he wanted to exchange for an ability like a Three-Tomoe Sharingan in both eyes, he did not have enough Witness Points.

"Ugh, what fortune? I'm still just a poor bastard."

Chiyu closed the panel and took a scroll from his Ninja Tool Pouch.

After undoing the seal in the scroll, a ninja sword appeared.

This ninja sword had belonged to Oyulo.

During the battle, Chiyu had noticed that Oyulo's ninja sword conducted Chakra extremely well. It was highly likely that it had been mixed with Chakra metal.

Chiyu had verified it at the ninja tool shop. The sword did indeed contain Chakra metal, though not in a large quantity.

Still, it was a fine weapon, better than the Longsword Chiyu currently used.

The Longsword Chiyu had exchanged for ten Witness Points had an uneven blade.

Battle had left many chips in it, and Chiyu had sharpened it many times, which was why the blade had become so uneven.

With this ninja sword, Chiyu's Longsword could finally retire.

Chiyu stood up and looked around his house.

Ever since obtaining this house, Chiyu had barely stayed in it for a few days.

Originally, Chiyu had planned to spend one night here before leaving Konoha for the battlefield, but the moment he saw the dust on the bed, he gave up on the idea.

Chiyu left his home and headed for Mito Uzumaki's residence, intending to tell Kushina Uzumaki that he would be heading to the battlefield.

When Chiyu arrived at Mito Uzumaki's residence, Kushina Uzumaki was the one who opened the door.

Chiyu said in surprise, "Kushina, you're awake already."

Kushina Uzumaki thought of that kiss from earlier. Her cheeks flushed red, and she lowered her head slightly in shyness, softly murmuring, "Mm."

Chiyu said to Kushina Uzumaki, "Kushina, I'll soon be going with Teacher Orochimaru to the Land of Hot Water for a long-term mission. I may be staying in the Land of Hot Water for quite some time."

"What?"

Kushina Uzumaki abruptly looked up at Chiyu, her expression somewhat crestfallen.

Chiyu reached out and rubbed Kushina Uzumaki's head, saying with a smile, "Even though I may be in the Land of Hot Water for a long time, I'll find a way to return to Konoha to see you."

Kushina Uzumaki pouted. She had not seen Chiyu for several days. Although that incident had happened, once she woke up, she had immediately washed up, changed into a pretty outfit, and eagerly waited for Chiyu to come see her.

Even if they did not go anywhere, it would have been nice just to sit somewhere and chat with Chiyu.

She had not expected Chiyu to be leaving so soon.

Seeing Kushina Uzumaki's expression, Chiyu said affectionately, "I'm not leaving until tomorrow morning. There's still some time. Want to go for a walk?"

Kushina Uzumaki immediately perked up and nodded her little head vigorously. "Okay! Then let's go right away!"

After Kushina Uzumaki informed Mito Uzumaki, she and Chiyu wandered around Konoha.

As they walked, the two arrived in Konoha's forest. Neither Chiyu nor Kushina Uzumaki spoke, simply enjoying this brief moment of quiet and happiness.

It was not until the sky had turned completely dark that Chiyu finally walked Kushina Uzumaki home.

At the entrance to Mito Uzumaki's residence, Chiyu instructed, "Kushina, Konoha hasn't been peaceful these past few days. Stay by Lady Mito's side for now and don't leave. Also, if anything happens, ring that bell. I'll rush over as quickly as I can..."

Chiyu gave her many instructions, while Kushina Uzumaki simply looked at his face and listened quietly.

After he finished, Kushina Uzumaki suddenly grasped Chiyu's right hand.

Chiyu's right hand was wrapped in bandages, and Kushina Uzumaki stared intently at the bandages around it.

Chiyu said with a smile, "It's just a minor injury. It'll heal on its own in a couple of days. Don't worry."

Kushina Uzumaki looked into Chiyu's eyes with a serious expression, her gaze blazing. "Chiyu, I'll work hard too! I'll train hard and won't become your burden anymore!"

Chiyu gently pulled Kushina Uzumaki into his arms and said softly, "You have never been my burden. You are my pride, the direction I strive toward."